Tens of thousands marched across France on January 21st, urging President Emmanuel Macron not to approve a contentious new immigration law passed in December 2023.
Critics argued that the legislation aligns too closely with the extreme right and betrays core French principles like liberty and equality.
Mass Demonstrations Across the Country
The French Interior Ministry estimated some 75,000 protestors took part nationwide, with around 16,000 gathering in Paris.
However, the major CGT labor union put total participation at 150,000 people.
The protests came just days before France’s Constitutional Council decided whether the bill conforms to the constitution.
Macron himself has suggested some aspects could be unconstitutional, according to French newspaper Le Monde.
Tougher Rules Draw Ire of Advocacy Groups
The legislation aims to strengthen France’s ability to deport those considered undesirable.
It also erects new barriers for immigrants to access social services and welfare benefits.
Other measures make family reunification more difficult in France.
For example, a spouse seeking to immigrate may now need to demonstrate French language proficiency.
The law also could see the return of a controversial 2012 regulation that criminalized lacking valid residence papers. In addition, some healthcare services could now be denied based on immigration status.
Global Experts Sound Alarm on ‘Unequal’ Treatment
Ashwini KP, the United Nation’s expert on racism, decried the bill as contradictory to France’s espoused principles of liberté, égalité and fraternité.
She said that its social benefits restrictions and fee hikes would "impact marginalized communities" the most.
KP joined the 200 popular French figures across the arts, culture, and labor sectors calling for protests against the law.
Their joint statement labeled it a "dictate of hate merchants" pushing a nationalist agenda.
Path Forward Remains Uncertain
The Constitutional Council’s pending ruling casts uncertainty on the legislation’s future.
Their review could modify or strike down some of the more controversial elements.
Macron drew criticism for backing the bill, which passed last month with support from Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party.
Some accused him of pivoting rightward ahead of the 2027 elections.
Brits Get Long-Term Visa Exemption
However, British second homeowners largely avoided the crackdown.
They can now stay in France more than 90 days a year without extra paperwork.
The exemption contrasts with tightened restrictions on other foreign nationals.
It stems from Brexit-era deals granting Brits streamlined access to long-term French visas.
New Visa Rules’ Impact on EU Travelers
The legislation imposes harsher restrictions on social services and benefits eligibility.
As a result, European Union (EU) citizens visiting or residing long-term in France could face more paperwork and hurdles in accessing healthcare.
The law also grants authorities more deportation powers over those lacking valid paperwork.
This raises uncertainty for EU families and workers who overstay short-term Schengen visas.
However, the pending ETIAS system poses perhaps the biggest challenge.
Launching in 2025, it requires EU travelers to pre-apply and pay for French entry clearance.
Most will need ETIAS just to take a weekend Paris holiday after next year.
Cracking Down or Closing Borders?
France’s move echoes tougher stances across Europe amid immigration backlash.
However, critics argued that the new law violates EU commitments to open internal borders and equal treatment.
As a major proponent of inter-Europe cooperation, France’s perceived antagonism towards immigrants risks alienating close allies.
The controversial bill may inspire copycat legislation that further undermines Schengen ideals.
With ETIAS and extreme right sentiment demanding tighter control, Europe faces hard questions on balancing security with open society principles.
France’s current domestic tensions offer merely a glimpse into that brewing debate.
What’s Next for Immigration Reform?
The coming days will prove pivotal in determining the new immigration rules’ fate in France.
The Constitutional Council’s pending ruling could substantially reshape or strike down the more extreme elements.
However, President Macron shows no signs of fully abandoning tighter restrictions deemed unconstitutional.
Passing some form of reform remains a priority for his second term.
Mass street protests and condemnation from global human rights figures also seem unlikely to deter Macron’s government from advancing its immigration agenda.
However, the intensity of public opposition may force concessions in the legislation’s final form.